Once this trail was called Gateway to the Narrows, but now the popular name is Riverside Walk. This 2 mile round trip hike begins at the farthest end of Zion Canyon, the Temple of Sinawava and ends where the renowned Zion Narrows Trail begins. The hike is a walk on a paved path with little change in elevation. The towering monoliths surrounding this hike make it quite special as well as the Virgin River flowing alongside the walking path. Allow 1.5 hours to complete the loop to the start of the Zion Narrows and back to the Riverside Walk trailhead.
Trailside exhibits are located along the path describing the plants and animals present in the area. The hanging gardens and the desert swamps are smaller zones where conditions allow certain animals and plants to thrive. The Zion Snail is endemic to the hanging gardens in the park and the tiny creature is not found anywhere in the world except Zion. There is a nice pond along the path where canyon tree frogs are often seen and heard. Other common wildlife along this trail includes the rock squirrel and the mule deer.
Directions
Take the Zion Canyon shuttle and exit at the last stop "Temple of Sinawava".
